Get to know Runaway Bridal Planner, Random Style

Funny things happen when I blog, like today for instance. A month ago, I had written a post specifically for my Spotlight day in this hop, and 11pm last night I decided it was a little too much on the duller side and realized that there was no way I was going to run it. At least not today, and definitely not as a way to introduce myself to some of you who may be stopping by for one of the first times and deciding if you want to keep stopping by in the future.

Instead I'm breaking one of my biggest blogging rules, which is creating a post just a short hour before I am going to run it. I'm also breaking my second biggest rule, which is running a post I wrote late at night, with no chance of correcting any grammar mistakes in time before others read it. I'm already cringing to myself, but hey gut instinct, gotta go with that right!

Anyhow, I realized sometimes whether you are a new reader to a blog, or a long time follower. The best way to get to know someone can really be just completely totally random things. Especially since this particular Awesome Bloggers hop, has such a fun variety of people/bloggers participating.

Maybe random is better to increase the odds that something about me and my blog could grab a new followers interest? Well that, or I am making a mistake... Which wouldn't be the first time. ha ha.

So whether this is a huge mistake, or not. 

Allow me to share 10 totally random facts about me.

1 I hate chocolate. I won't touch it. You could leave a pile of all the greatest candy bars on my counter and if you came back a month later, they'd still be there untouched.

As a kid, I used to save all my Halloween chocolate when I was younger and bribe all my siblings with it for months to do all my chores.

2 Thanks to being recently forced to take it easy and not work, for an issue I am having with my back. I have literally just in the past 6 weeks have read 15 novels and over 5,800 pages. Yup, if you can't tell, I love to read. But this is quite a bit excessive even for me!

3 Summer weekends, if I am not working a wedding I usually spend every free weekend up camping.

Additionally, even if I am working a week. I will go camping for the entire week, and just commute to work and drive back up in the mountains after. It helps to have access to my parents 5th wheel for showering purposes, LOL

4 My fun sisters and I get in crazy weird moods and the last three times we decided to dare each other to go skinny dipping they were all in places most would consider far to public. Apparently if there is no risk there is no purpose to do it?? That or we are just nuts... Probably a bit of both!
Not that we have ever been caught (that we are aware), but apparently we can't just go up to a lake in the middle of the night like normal people. 

One of my sisters husbands is a cop, and he shakes his head each time, because he does not want to have to explain to his co-workers the thought process of his wife and her sisters should we ever be caught. ha ha  (I just made it sound like we do this all the time, which is not true. The dares only come up once or twice a year.)

5 I'm a wedding decorator. I have owned my own business for over 7 years and I absolutely love it. I don't feel at all like my days spent doing it are a job at all. It's hard work, but I have been fortunate to have a job that feels more like a fun hobby.

6 I have a group of really great friends who I am lucky enough to say. Without question, and at the drop of a hat, if one needs the other we are there and willing to do whatever it takes no matter how long it takes, no matter what it is to be there for each other.

On that same note, I have a family that is exactly the same way. I am truly lucky!

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7 My dad started teaching me to drive at age 12. We had a deal, 15 minutes of driving for every A. 10 minutes for each B and 5 minutes for each C. 

Because we did a lot of camping and 4 wheeling. The majority of all that saved up driving time was done up in the mountains on at times not the best roads. 

Because of that, I learned at an early age how to 4 wheel on various terrains and get myself out of a jams without tipping a truck over or tearing up the undercarriage. Which is why I have my dad to thank when guys give me a double, triple and jaw dropping looks when I'm up on the trails doing stuff even they can't.

8 I am a thrill seeker, and have been since as long as I can remember. I do live by the words that I will try ALMOST anything at least once. If I am being honest, I am really lucky that some of the stunts I have pulled haven't gotten me killed.

In fact, one of my dumbest things I have ever done was in college. I lied to some cute guys that I knew how to rock climb, so I could go with. I didn't think twice about jumping off and rappelling down over 100 feet on sandstone cliffs at midnight to be surprised at the bottom only to have to do a free climb (no ropes) back up in what they call a chimney climb. I copied what they did, nearly exactly and they never suspected it was my first time, and then invited me each time they went after. I think I was lucky it was dark and I never could see the ground and only had the moon to show me how big of trouble I was in each slow foot I took climbing back up.

9 I love to run, and I prefer longer distances. My body doesn't really do well in distances under 6 miles, even if it's a mind thing. Not that I am some great distance runner, because I'm not. But my best miles are once I get up around 10, and the ones between that and 17. 

Another odd running fact, more often than not, I will run a second half of a marathon faster than the first half. I've been trying to work on that for years, eventually I will get this corrected, haha..

10 I like to learn random facts about anything and everything. So that no matter who I am in conversation with, no matter what part of the world they live in, or what their culture is. I can jump right in, and carry on a conversation about something I only know a spec about and pretend I know loads about and just learn more as the conversations go. This has been especially useful in job interviews, when on planes, and when traveling and visiting new places around the country.  My sisters, call that just me being a know it all, LOL They are probably right!

So there you have it, 10 totally completely random facts, that popped into my mind as I typed. I'm hoping most of these are ones I have not shared before on my blog, for those of you who have followed me for quite sometime.

A quick note for those paying their first visit: If you noticed on my ABOUT PAGE I blog about different things on different days. You can find a full schedule there on when I share things about me, travel posts, running posts and other things. I do try to keep specific days for certain things so viewers and followers will know what to expect if they are only interested in certain things I do on my blog.

If you like my blog an want to follow me, I would love it if you'd hit one of my share buttons and follow me in your favorite way to follow a blogger.  You can find my follow tools floating around in the right hand corner of my blog, no matter where on the page you are at.

Oh, and just FYI I do follow back!

So, now that you've learned probably more than you ever cared to about me. Why don't you tell me something totally random about you!

Also, I use the Disqus comment system. It's fairly simple to use, but if you have not signed up with a Disqus account will you please leave me a link to your blog so I can come pay you a visit too.

Who is Runaway Bridal Planner and Do I Really Want to Know Her?

Welcome all of my incredible blogging friends.  I have really enjoyed hosting the two hops over the past month, I really appreciate all your hard work and participation it makes everything  I have put into it feel so worthwhile!

I'll be the first one to admit that I am different, completely non-perfect, a little odd, strange or weird at times. But I am sure about a few things, I am happy, I love life, love adventure, enjoy the big and little things and I am more than okay with being me.

So I am going to introduce myself to you, in the form of a bunch of random facts, mixed with my favorite quotes with my own photography from places I have been.  Allowing you a little insight into who is the gal behind Runaway Bridal Planner and do you really want to follow her blog.

I am a runner, up until a work injury I received almost 3 years ago I had been working on a goal to run a full marathon in each of the 50 states & D.C. I am currently at 32 completed and I am really looking forward to finishing battling back from this work injury and getting back into it and finishing the last 19, because frankly it's just a fun goal, and I want it badly!
Yes, I have hope I will heal and one thing anyone can say about me is, I am a gal who never gives up on that hope!

My main job, I am a wedding planner/decorator. I went to college for Interior Design and took a little time after to figure how the best way to use my skills and degree.  7 years ago I went out of my comfort zone and purchased an existing wedding decoration company and through the ups and downs have built it up to what it is today. I employ some of the greatest decorating team members ever, we seriously do make an amazing team, we make our clients very happy and have such a fun time doing it! Even on the crazy insane wedding days!

I've run 39 marathons. About 7 half marathon races.  I lost track years ago on how many 10k's and 5k's, but I do know the combined number is well over 100.  I seriously love all distances, even if my race of choice is 26.2.

I love to travel, and if it's a racecation all the better. I also like to take my camera with me and snap away with it. Which is why I host a Travel Tuesday series on my blog, and showcase a new place to visit, hike or see.  I've already showcased over 60+ destinations, if you want to check them out you can visit the Travel Tuesday page. Let's just say, being single does have it's benefits when it comes to being able to up and travel anytime I want!

In all the marathons and races I have done. I've never had a serious injury from running.
Sure, I have had injuries (like the current work one) that have kept me from running, but all were done while doing other things, because sometimes I forget I need to be careful at work or playing around! (It's true, I forget to think before I act, I'll be the first to admit I have my dumb moments.)

I attribute being a mostly injury free runner to a couple of factors. First, I train old school the way my dad trained me.  I believe in putting the weekly training miles in 5-6 days a week and definitely understand the importance of all those long runs!
But mostly think it's because I haven't gotten into any of the newer training trends that have come out on the market for runners over the last 10+ years.  In my mind I figure if most marathon runners in the 70's-90's were pretty healthy and injury free, and it seems like newer runners trying all these "new" methods nowadays get injured all the time.  I figure the older ways are good enough for me and why change what works for me!

I am the (self proclaimed) worlds greatest aunt.  I am an awesome aunt to 8 even more awesome kids and when I am not working I am usually out playing with them. They help keep me young, and I can pass on my love for camping, hiking and running to them.

I ran my first race (1/2 mi.) when I was in the 2nd grade and I remember it in detail to this day. Because I was so mad I came in 2nd and only 1st place got these cool Coke trophy's. When I was upset about it, I remember my dad taught me a valuable lesson.  He was proud of my accomplishment but reminded me if I want to do better and I want the trophy's, I could get them but I needed to work harder at it.
He was right, and I thank him and my mom for passing down hard work ethics and goal oriented determination that has helped me have the work philosophy and success in my life that I have had.
I do believe one of the reason's society is so messed up right now is because so many think no matter the effort everyone is equally deserving.  But nothing teaches you better long term life lessons than learning to work hard to get what you want and not stopping until you get it.  I think that is why I love running so much!

I am weird, If I run the entire way in a marathon and I am talking about the race to others I will say "I ran a marathon."  However, if I walked in the race at all (minus a few steps at water stations if its forced because they are crowded. ) I will tell you is "I finished a marathon."  I have a story behind this, as to why I am weird this way but it would make everyone roll their eyes. FYI, believe it or not, my mind doesn't generally think this way when others tell me about their races, it's just a personal thing and frankly it doesn't even really matter so I don't know why my mind keeps on this way. Again, like I said above, I am odd sometimes... lots of times, LOL

I am a thrill seeker and I am a little fearless (yet still careful) when it comes to exciting things. These are a few of my crazier adventures; Skydiving, Shark Diving, Kayaking in a portion of the Bermuda triangle, Para Sailing, Cliff Diving, Repelling,Rock Climbing, Caving, Canyoneering, Bungee Jumping. Mountain biking Moab Slickrock and Alaska Glacial landing near Denali.
Sometimes there is nothing better than the adrenaline you get trying something that scares you a little, or something that you know not everyone would be willing to do. (FYI: for skydiving, I made an attempt to pick the highest dive so I could have the longest freefall, just over 60 seconds of freefall from a little over 18,500 feet. So AWESOME! - I recommend a long freefall to anyone wanting to try it!)

I tried an ice bath twice (the NYC Marathon and Little Rock Marathon), I didn't notice it did much for me other than reward my efforts with freezing cold misery.
So I don't do them anymore, instead I have found a mile walk or very easy short run/hike the evening after a marathon helps the healing process and swelling even better or just as good.

I know several runners beg to differ, but I mean I just ran 26.2 and gave it my all, why on earth would I want to sit in a tub of cold water and ice cubes as a reward?  No thank you, I would rather reward myself with an ice cold Pepsi and a juicy burger or fat slice of pizza and enjoy rather than freeze to death after my accomplishment.

Just a few of my medal bling pretties :)

I grew up in a family that hunted, but somewhere through the years I found I enjoyed shooting them with my camera far more than a weapon and so did most of my family. Now I take my camera with me hiking each time just in case I see something amazing and I have given up hunting (for now)!
On a side note, I am an excellent shot and as the guys in my hunters safety class back when I was 13 learned as do the few I meet at the ranges now. I am one girl, you definitely don't want to bet against, I rarely miss and always hit my mark!
You can just see me dripping in humble pie now can't you, LOL.  But hey, if something about you in life is true, good or bad, you just gotta own it right!

I only display my marathon finisher medals, and first place finisher medals (even as few 1st's as there are.) The rest are in storage boxes or scrapbooks, however, I have also boxed up all first place medals and ribbons from my younger years.  There is just a point where too much is too much!
Additionally, I'd also rather not receive finishers medal in shorter races, I would much rather fun runs go back to how they used to be have some fun creative swag I could actually use or a free race picture instead. (I am well aware I am in the minority on this, and that is definitely okay:)

In my perfect world, I would be camping at a different location every other week! Oh, and there would be a considerable amount of hiking and fishing thrown into that!  I might as well throw in, that marrying an incredibly gorgeous guy both inside and out would also be a great bonus to bring along to my perfect mountain loving world! (As for the last part, I am working on that:)

I love to read, I have read 45 books this year, however I haven't had time to sit and read since before Labor Day. *insert my sad face* Last year I finished the year with 75 novels read, and I am pretty sure this year I won't come close to that. But I am definitely looking forward to Winter by Marissa Meyer that just came out last week.  I have it on hold at the library and hopefully it arrives asap and I will make time to read that one!

Different than many runners (unless you live out west) I HATE flat marathon courses, they are too boring.  I actually enjoy hills. ( I know you are either thinking, she's nuts or rock on!)

I also like race courses that take you back into places where you can go miles and miles without seeing anyone other than the other runners. Sometimes I find its nice to allow your own thoughts to motivate you rather than cheer support and the ever annoying "your almost there" shouts.

I am a people person and can be found talking to complete strangers at any given time. Because hello, people are fascinating interesting and crazies in both good and bad ways.

However, I am NOT a people pleaser or one who joins in with the crowd. (Unless you hire me for your wedding, and then it may only last one day. LOL)
It's a fairly decent bet that if I am not okay with a conversation or something going on. I will be the one to stand alone against it and by the time I am finished, others will either agree with me or know there is no changing my mind!

The greatest running advice I have ever been given, was given to me by my dad just about every race I have run since I was 7.  If you are a runner and he has trained you or talked with you before or even if he comes in contact with you as he is dropping me off at a marathon starting line.  (Yes, I get the people person, talk to random stranger thing from him. ) He will share his famous yet excellent words of advice to have the best race possible. "Start out fast, pick it up in the middle and pour it on in the end." Quite great advice to race your best race each time!

So now you know a little bit more about me and I can say if you like what you read above, then you will probably enjoy my blog because I bring in my different passions for life into the subjects I write about and share on here.

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Who is @runwybridlplanr and do I really want to know her? http://goo.gl/r9nlB4 #blogging #camping #running #hiking

If you didn't like it, or can't relate, no worries.  That is the beauty about life and people, we all like and enjoy different things, and that is actually a great thing!  There are so many awesome different types of blogs out there, and I am sure over the past few weeks and tomorrow there will be others you do relate to and want to continue to follow!  You can learn more on my About Me page, but I am going to leave you with my mission statement.

My Blog and Life Mission Statement

I believe goals are meant to be made and achieved.

Dreams are meant to be big, bigger and lived.

I truly believe with all my heart, that absolutely anything is possible 

if I want it bad enough. But may only be achieved if I am willing to put in 

all the hard work necessary to get it! I also believe very little will naturally fall 

into my lap if I don't take the initiative to do what it takes to earn it!  

I believe I have the ability to learn how to do anything

and the sky is really only the limits I make it.

I don't believe quitting is for losers, because I understand goals may have to change.

However, I do believe quitting on things you are passionate about is a sure way

to miss out on a life of happiness.  Even if it takes the rest of your life working to achieve it.

I believe not everything you do should only be about yourself.

Being kind, charitable and showing awareness towards the needs of others 

will bring you far more happiness than the biggest dream you can imagine!

Now that you know some Random things about me, share with me something totally random about you! 
Oh, and if you want to know where I took any of the above pictures, just ask and I will let you know!

Also, if you are kind enough to leave a comment I use the Disqus comment system, it is pretty simple to use but if you don't have an account will you please leave me a link to your blog, so I can come check out your latest post too?

Stat's, Updates and Total Randomness

Life was a little slower this past week, I was finally able to catch up on a few things.  As for blogging, I was able to knock off the first 10 things on my to-do list and even though my list still has several more dozen on it, its definitely a start!  Additionally, I have the rest of my October posts (minus my Monday update posts) all created and ready to run for the month!

Which is awesome because it means, more time I can spend visiting other blogs!  I have a goal, to get most of November's posts created by Mid October... we shall see if that happens:)

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to take care of a couple of nephews and a niece while their parents are out of town.  We had ton's of fun, I love playing with those kids it always makes me feel young again:)  We had a slumber party and watched old Disney movies from my childhood, they loved them just as much as I hoped.  Apple Dumpling Gang, Blackbeards Ghost... Great times!
Ya, we are totally stretched out and relaxing in our camping trailer and maybe ate too many goodies!


A sweet friend returned from a spur of the moment trip to Paris, and brought me these beautiful coasters.  Aren't they pretty!  I think this is the first thing I own from Paris:)

OCTOBER GOALS & NUMBERS

So this is the first Monday of the month with my new series where I share my September goals, and how I did as well as my revenue numbers.  So here it goes:

Compared to my August numbers, my page views are back on their climb to pre-summer, which I think has helped me achieve a few things this month.  You can read about my September stats HERE.

Income earned: $159. Since my goal was $150, I did make it, just barely:)  I haven't been working on a whole lot of campaigns, but I do plan to increase this in the coming months.
My October goal: $200.

Twitter: Ended the month with 6,483 followers.  My goal was to hit 6,500, so yes I did miss this goal a little.  However, I did start the month with barely over 6,000 so overall I find this to be highly successful!  Why am I working on twitter?  Well Twitter is my #2 source of traffic second to Google. Because of this, it's a no brainier that I should work on growing this!
My October goal: 7,000 followers.

Instagram: I ended the month with 1,461 followers. Since I started the month with 1,306 followers this was a pretty good growth! Even though I did have a goal to hit 1,600.  So no, I didn't hit the goal, not even close.
Instagram is something I want to build to obtain some higher revenue advertising opportunities.
For me Instagram is the hardest to grow, but I have been discovering some new things that help so hopefully implementing them more, it will help it's growth.
My October goal: 1,550 followers.

My 3 Top Posts (per page views) in September

Fall into Fitness Giveaway Hop
Runners Etiquette, How to Not Ruin a Race For Others
Funny Questions Runners Ask

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Random About Me

It's been a while since I have done one of those, total random facts about me.  So today I decided to share a little.  I am always completely honest, so ya laugh on some if you have to!  I am usually the first to admit, I am occasionally weird and have my "dork" moments.

* I love the 2015 Disney Cinderella movie, I finally got my copy and ya I have watched it twice, it's just so cute!

* I have a goal this month to not spend more than $200 on myself, this includes eating out, clothing, movies, stuff with friends, spend on nieces and nephews.  Why? Because lately, I have been spending 5X's that, and lets face it, money would be better spent on trips and vacations!

* I collect key chains from everywhere I visit (I have several hundred displayed.)
But I oddly don't have an actual key chain with my keys, LOL  I have a rock climbing hook holding them together instead:)

* I am trying to cut down on how many times I wash my hair.  I know dumb, but I was washing it 1-2 times a day before.  I can now go 2-3 days thanks to dry shampoo:)  I wouldn't be going 3 days if I was working out, LOL promise!  On the plus side, as someone who has fine straight hair, after a few days with the dry shampoo, my hair looks super thick and luscious:)  LOL

* I went shopping the other day and bought 2 complete outfits for $97.  It was the first time I used all those mobile coupons that companies keep sending me in their weekly email blasts.  I need to take advantage of those more often!

* I will never leave my home or business if I have to pee, even a little.  I once was in a car accident, just before my friends and I left I decided I had to go to the bathroom, but I would just go when I got to the restaurant. After the accident, I had to be strapped down for hours while they determined if my neck was broke, and I had to pee the entire time.  It was awful, I don't even remember the pain from the accident, just having to pee, LOL  So ya now I never make that mistake before I leave anywhere:)

* If it is, "that time of the month" with the lovely painful "cramps" my girlfriends and I know, it's sort of an unwritten rule, that any of us can cancel plans at the last minute to lay around at home with a heating pad, Pepsi and painkillers instead:) and no one takes any offense to it, because we all, get it!

* I am enjoying Fear The Walking Dead, almost as much as I like The Walking Dead:)

* I no longer have the purple in my hair, I went back to my natural dark brown:)  But it was a fun month while it lasted!

* I want to go hang gliding or para gliding.  I was watching them fly off the mountain nearby me the other day, and it got me to wondering why I haven't done it yet!  It might be too late in the year, but I am really thinking if not this year, next spring!

*  I am itching to take a road trip!  Sure gas prices here are nowhere near as low as most of the rest of you get.  We are still around $2.69, but regardless I want to take a road trip.  Now all I have to do is find a way to fit one in:)

* I'm trying to cut out how much Pepsi I am drinking.  (I know I go through phases and have said this in the past.) But I have gotten up to 2 a day again, and this is not good!  I'd like to get back down to 1 a week!

* At work if people ask me if I watch any reality shows, I will lie and say I don't even if I do:)

* I wear running shoes with dress pants.  I know, the shame!  My sisters won't be seen around me when I do.  But because of the Achilles work injury I have had, it's has been a necessary thing to do.  But the oddest thing, it no longer bothers me to do it.  (I did buy an all black pair of Asics, not that it makes it any better.)

* I have never ran in one of those cute running skirts yet.  But I really want to get one!

* I would love it if someone called me up to go drive race cars around a track or out on the salt flats.  I would LOVE to go as fast as they'd let me!  That would be an awesome date!

* If I am not in the mood, I will put my phone on silent and leave it that way for an entire day, not bothering to look at it until the next day.  I know, not very business great, but that is what voicemail is for right! I should say I don't do this often, but maybe once or twice a month.
However, I am also known for not looking at my phone for 4-6 hours at a time, if I get busy!  My friends and family hate that I do that when they want to get a hold of me:)

* I am going harness my sewing skills and attempt a DIY project and make a Mermaid tail for my niece for her birthday in November.  It will be one that you can really swim in.  So many kids have them, but they are like $120+, and I have discovered I can get the Monofin, and the wetsuit fabric I need for it all for under $35 and I found the pattern/project details on Pinterest, and it looks only moderately hard.
The only problem, I am going to be jealous, and it's going to be hard not to make myself one, LOL They look way fun!

* I had fun watching the Supermoon and Eclipse last Sunday.  Here are a few pictures I took, while I was playing around with my camera while watching.

Okay, that is probably enough from me right now.


Tell me something random about you.
Do you set monthly blogging goals for yourself?

I am linking up with HoHo Runs and Mississippididdlin today for their Weekly Wrap!

Another Random Monday

Decided that I was going to go with another totally random post about my life this week.

I am not going to blog much this week, in fact this might be the only post I do!  With Thanksgiving I figure I will spend my time reading other blogs, or spending time with my family!

If your interested you have 4 days left to sign up and join us for the last hop of he year.  
Our December Health & Fitness Holiday Giveaway Hop starts next week.

This is the last hop I will be hosting until March of next year.  So if you enjoy doing them, or have been thinking of giving one a try, we'd love to have you join us!

You can check out the official rules HERE, if you are okay with the terms, go ahead and sign up with us below:





I got out and went running most days this past week.  It was harder getting myself out of bed when the temp outside read 18 degrees, than it was to actually go out and run.
But truthfully, it had warmed up to 20-29 degree's for morning run temps by mid week so I really didn't have much to complain about by then:)

Last week I said I thought that being off running for the better part of 2 years made me weak, and that was answered this last week.  It did!
Truth is, I still like running in the winter, dressed correctly I hardly notice the cold... much....
It really is refreshing to get out there in it... well except ask me if my answer is the same next time I say I had to fight icy winds and storms:)


I still haven't gotten my treadmill fixed up for the occasional winter use.  I really need to get on that!  The good news is, I cleared it off.  Because, I may or may not have been using it as an extra jacket rack:)


I've still been seriously tired, I am back to taking supplements and iron pills so it's going to take some time, but at least not I am back on track to get my energy levels back up.  Of course that doesn't mean I didn't sleep in until 9am or later almost each day this past week and their may have been a few naps thrown into the days too:)  I have no shame in admitting that, apparently:)


This week I re-discovered it is so much easier to compliment and help out strangers and people you like, vs. people that get on your nerves!  However, helping someone who gets on your nerves... getting through it is almost more rewarding in some ways.  After all, they can't help being annoying, well in theory:)
Although I will say, it takes on a whole new lesson in patience, which is also always a good thing to get a lesson in!


Finally found a few good books to read this week.  Went ahead and put another series on hold at the library earlier last week and it came in.  Although I am sure because of Murphy's Law, as soon as I pick it up and get into it.  The sequels I have been waiting on, will arrive at the library for pick up:)

I usually only try to read one book a week, I reserve Sunday afternoons specifically for this:)  But Saturday was such a stormy day and since I didn't have a whole lot else going on I got through a book that day as well.


My sister got me to download a game app, and it's horrible.  But I am totally and completely addicted to it.  (This is why I don't play video games!)
I tried to stop playing it, but I can't because the stupid game doesn't have a pause button it just goes on and on and I can't help but keep playing.  I roll my eyes that I am playing it, I not only will not tell anyone which game it is, but its so embarrassing I think this is one of those things that I would actually lie to the diary about, LOL
I think this one may have brought my "dork" to a whole new level, and I curse her for it, haha!


Well I will stop there!  I hope everyone has a great week, enjoys some great times with family or good friends.  Hope you are all blessed with a week that you can sit back and remember all you are thankful for!

Happy Thanksgiving!

My Totally Random Lowdown

Ever have those days, where you want to blog but you have a bazillion thoughts running through your mind and your not quite sure which one to actually pick?

Well instead of picking one, I decided to give you The Totally Random Lowdown on my life; starting now:


We had our first snow, which is probably great news for some.  I mean if you ski....  But no, even though I live within a 20 minute drive or less to some of the best ski/board resorts in the world.. I don't ski or board (way to expensive.)
The good news is, its only 16 degree's today, so it's a bit too cold to snow anymore!  Bad news is, it's only 16 degrees outside!


I didn't run last week, not even a little.  I should feel guilty, but I don't.  It was a rough week, my energy levels were zapped because I let my iron level got too low (my fault).  In fact I actually slept off the better part of two days, and frankly, I felt much better the days following so, no guilt!


I will be back to running this week, but I am not looking forward to running in the cold again. I don't know why, it's never bothered me before.  But I think 2 years off racing has made me weak or something!
On another note, I need to dig out my winter clothes, and running clothes... probably right after I finish typing this!!!


Eventually it's going to get icy, and since I have some great (insert sarcasm) neighbors who don't even bother to shovel their sidewalks in the winter (karma gets them I am sure.) It's going to get too snowy/icy some days to go outside to run, which means I need to fix the treadmill.
I ran too much on it over the winters through the years I actually wore out the tread mat...  $100 for a new mat, beats thousands for a new treadmill.  Hopefully, that fixes it!


I sent my resume out to a few companies and I don't even know if they are hiring.  But why not, I'd rather send them to a few places that might be my dream job, than apply to a few guaranteed jobs that I might not like as much... So yeah, we will see how that goes, but I have my fingers crossed that I will find a great and awesome job!  I even listed my blog on one of my resume's, yup after I thought about it I realized it might even help with that one, so we will see!


I got caught up on my own blogging, only to have an exhausting week (last) to get behind on keeping up with some of my favorite bloggers.  But I'm thinking now that I am feeling much, much better life might be able to get back to it's norm.


I have 2 giveaways going on.  Today is the last day to enter my $25 Amazon gift card giveaway HERE.  Also, my giveaway for book lovers just started over the weekend, so if your interested go ahead and enter HERE.  They are both parts of giveaway hops, so on my Gift Card giveaway link, you'll also see 19 other bloggers who have amazing giveaways to enter too!
On my book giveaway their are literally over 150 bloggers participating so in other words, lots and lots of chances to win some free stuff for yourself for the Holidays!


After chatting with a friend who is going through some very hard struggles and times right now, and who is also severely depressed.  I generally only offer my ear to listen, but when she kept asking how I stay happy I told her, I run.  After some time she thought about it, and started working out in the mornings.  She said she's been doing much better.  I have to say, this made me really happy to hear! Not only that, I could clearly see a difference in her face after just her first morning workout!  Just goes to show, you never know who you may be able to influence by your own life!


I don't watch much T.V. but their are a couple of shows that I do take the time to watch, because well they are quality made t.v.:) haha.  Walking Dead, and I am loving it this season and of course I am still a Survivor fan, because I would seriously be an awesome contestant on that show (my dream!)


As of this morning, my car is back with the mechanic (I think it's starting to like it there, rather than at home with me, and that isn't making me happy)!  Thankfully, this won't cost anything because it's still in relation to what they fixed.  But I think they'll put a new mechanic on it, and hopefully he will get it figured out!  One can only hope!!!


I am listening to one book on audio right now as I run.  But I am not actually reading anything else right now.  Which is a first for me this year, I am always reading something!
Instead I am anxiously waiting on my local library to get in a few sequels, final books in series I have been reading and waiting for, for years!

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Alright, so is that is probably enough black and pink randomness for now:)
Last week, my weekly challenge was to compliment someone each day on one of their talents.  This one was fun, it made me really look at others around me, and who I work with differently and see them in a different light!

This week, my challenge is a little different, I am going to go with the Act of Kindness route. This week, I am going to look for someone who is in need of help with something and help them out with it.

If you enjoy inspirational challenges for yourself, I challenge you to do this too!

Doing something for someone else, may not seem like much, but to someone else it might mean the world, so why not!


So tell me some total randomness on your own life!

Random Facts - Last chance blog hop sign up

A few months back I did a RANDOM QUESTIONS post about myself, and a lot of you commented that you enjoy it.  So I thought I would give it a try again, this time with completely different questions.  If your wondering how I came up with the questions.  No it wasn't on my own.  I actually found a site that had 800 random questions, so I just picked a few:)

How many pairs of running shoes do you own?
I rotate 2-3 at one time.  But currently under my bed you can find 16 pairs:)

What would you do if you won the lottery?
First I'd make sure NO one knew I'd won.  Next I'd book all the rest of the marathons I need to finish my 50 states & DC goal.  I'd design and build my own wedding reception center.  I'd secretly love to help pay other people's bills without them knowing:)

What crazy talents do you have?
I was actually reminded of this just the other day.  They tell me it's both a blessing and a curse:)  I have this incredible ability to manipulate almost any conversation in my favor, and make the other person appear wrong or feel bad for what they have said.  I can also use the same skill to talk people into doing things they wouldn't normally do, by manipulating them into thinking it was their idea and it was a great idea.  I know I try not to do it often... Maybe I shouldn't have gone public with that, oh well.

Have you ever been canoeing or kayaking?
Many times!  I've even been kayaking in the Bermuda triangle:)

What is your favorite 80's movie?
That's tough because I have a few fav's.  But Girls Just Want to Have Fun is always a fun one!

What is the most embarrassing song on your playlist?
LOL, Rainbow Connection by the Carpenters also known as the Kermit the Frog song...  Don't ask, but it's there:)

Do you have a fun meeting a celebrity story?
Well I didn't actually meet him.  But Arnold Schwarzenegger.  In college I had a roommate who lived in a fancy gated community.  Which also at the time happened to be one of Arnold's homes.  So one weekend we went to her place.  Then to his property down the lane and his gate into his property happened to be open.  I drove in and somehow ended up in the back yard.  As we drove past this indoor atrium room, he was actually standing looking out the window at us (It was late at night and dark.) He was also on the phone.  I realized I was at a dead end, so I had to back up, which also made my cute little sports car have to back up onto a mountain.  By the time I turned around everyone in the car asked me to drive as close to the window as possible and slow down, I did.  Arnold looked smaller in person than I imagined:)  I think he was laughing at me, but in shock that some sports car just off wheeled up his mountain and back to him.  When we left, the gates not surprisingly shut and locked us out, LOL.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
I've actually thought about this.  I'd still pick where I am now, Utah.  I love my mountains!

If you could go on a reality TV show, which one would you pick?
Survivor, and I would so win that game!!! (take note of the manipulation answer above, and you'll see where I get my confidence:)  hahaha

Have you ever fired a gun or tried archery?
Yes!  I am actually an excellent shot.  Have been ever since I was really young.  In fact at age 14 I out-shot all the guys in my Hunters Safety class, and they were all years older then me.
I was actually quite good in archery too when I was younger, but I haven't done that in years.  I really should buy a bow, might be fun to take up again:)

Have you ever pulled a prank?
So many, I couldn't even begin to tell you all of them.  What can I say, I enjoy a great prank!

Can you solve Suduko puzzles?
Yes, and I love to do the really hard ones that are 1-16, not just the 1-9:)

Have you ever been professionally photographed?
Haha, kinda.  Years ago right after college I needed a job.  My mom found a job for a hair model.  So she sent me to the address.  It turned out it was one of those modeling agency's and they made me go through this whole catwalk thing...  haha.  They took video, had me do stuff for Disney show spots, and then took face shots...  No I didn't become a model:) But I still get a laugh out of it!

Are you a hat person?
Yes, I have running hats in almost every color.  Although I am still on the search for a cute yellow one:)

If evil-doers invaded your country, would you rush to the battlefield or hide in a box?
I'd rush to the battlefield!

Who is your favorite superhero?
Hmmmm well only recently have I started watching the TV series Arrow (Just the first season) and that guy is super hot!!!! So right now, I pick him!!!

Have you ever written a love letter?
Nope.  But this is embarrassing to admit, I can't believe I am going to put this.  But some random guy left me one at one of the libraries I work at the other day.  It was so bad, they didn't even wan to show it to me.  (thank goodness!!) But one of the gals I work with told me about it.  After she did, I was so glad they didn't hand it to me when I was there!!!

Do you own an lava lamp?
Yup, a blue one:)

Are you related, or distantly related to anyone famous?
Liz Taylor is the only one I know of.

You are walking to work and you see a dog drowning in a canal.  Your boss said if you are late one more time you are fired, do you go to work or save the dog?
Depends on if it was one of my neighbors annoying little dogs, or a random one:)  I'd save the random one for sure:) Don't hate me, my neighbors little yappers are the most annoying thing on earth and I secretly wish they would disappear one night! (Speaking of which, if you'd like a small ankle bitter dog, I would be happy to ship you 3 of them:)

What is the fastest you've ever driven?
Around 140MPH, I know stupid!  Even dumber, if I told you where, but I better not share that:)

What is something you have done, that you look back on and wonder how you ever lived?
In college these guys went rock climbing every Wednesday afternoon/night.  They were pretty cute, and I didn't think there was anything wrong with telling them I rock climbed too.  So we went, and I would just copy what they did.  The worst was once we did this near 175 foot chimney climb in the middle of the night in Southern Utah and did not rope up, all free climb.  They had asked me if I was experienced, and I just ya, it's just been a while.  So they didn't blink an eye at letting me come along. At the time I oddly didn't think anything of it.  Now I look back and wonder how I did not fall to my death...

So now you know more random things about me, than you ever cared to:)  In my comments below, feel free to answer one of the questions above about yourself:)

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Last, you still have a 3 more days to join up with a large group of us for a big Giveaway Blog Hop.  If you haven't joined up before, please visit the rules page first HERE.  Then if you'd like, sign up in the Linky below and join us!